Mountain Life
  • Daily Content
    • Trips & Expeditions
    • Climbing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Lifer
    • Multiplicity
    • On The Trail
    • Paddling
    • Photography
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Stay & Play
    • Surfing
    • The Great Outdoors
    • The ML Interview
    • Travel
  • GEAR
  • VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • Magazines
    • ML Coast Mountains
    • ML Rocky Mountains
    • Vie En Montagne
    • ML Blue Mountains
    • ML Annual
    • ML Subscriptions
  • ABOUT
    • What is ML?
    • Our Team
    • Newsletter
    • Adventure Grant
    • Distribution
  • Podcast
  • Contests
  • CONTACT
    • ML Agency
    • Advertising
    • Contribute
Subscription Form

Get notified of the best News

Social Links
Instagram 22K Followers
Facebook 25K Likes
Twitter 5K Followers
Pinterest 1K Followers
Vimeo 34 Followers
LinkedIn 0
22K Followers
25K Likes
5K Followers
1K Followers
Mountain Life
Mountain Life
  • Daily Content
    • Trips & Expeditions
    • Climbing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Lifer
    • Multiplicity
    • On The Trail
    • Paddling
    • Photography
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Stay & Play
    • Surfing
    • The Great Outdoors
    • The ML Interview
    • Travel
  • GEAR
  • VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • Magazines
    • ML Coast Mountains
    • ML Rocky Mountains
    • Vie En Montagne
    • ML Blue Mountains
    • ML Annual
    • ML Subscriptions
  • ABOUT
    • What is ML?
    • Our Team
    • Newsletter
    • Adventure Grant
    • Distribution
  • Podcast
  • Contests
  • CONTACT
    • ML Agency
    • Advertising
    • Contribute
  • Mountain Lifer
  • On The Trail

The Soulful Beauty of the Backcountry Lodge Experience

  • June 25, 2021
  • Mountain Life Media
Total
47
Shares
46
0
1
0
0
0
Total
47
Shares
Share 46
Tweet 0
Pin it 1
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0

words :: Todd Lawson // sponsored by Backcountry Lodges of BC.

“Leave this world a better place than you found it.” We’ve all heard this old adage before, and it’s more important now than ever, especially in the backcountry, where the ‘Leave No Trace’ ethos needs to be practiced by anyone who ventures into the wilderness. But what about leaving your soul in a better place? If you’re searching for a bit more soul in your life, you’re likely to find it inside and amongst any one of the BLBCA’s backcountry lodges.

1

A lodge differs from a hut, which is normally used by hikers and ski-tourers who cook their own meals and sleep on a camping mattress. When you stay at a backcountry lodge, you can sleep easier knowing that everyone involved is a steward of the land, and uses the backcountry in a responsible manner with as little impact as possible. The intangible feeling of being totally and completely immersed in a natural, uncrowded environment is like medicine for the soul.

2

“Spending time in nature is a magical thing,” says Jason Dixon, a Kamloops, BC resident and longtime backcountry lodge guest. “Too often I feel we lose touch of our place in nature, and spending time away from day-to-day life helps us reconnect to what is most important: our health and our happiness. Without those two things, nothing else really matters. I always feel recharged after a trip and I am typically anxious to get planning for the next one!”

3

Planning? The beauty of booking a Backcountry Lodges of BC (BLBCA) lodge is that you don’t really have to plan—you pick the destination and leave the rest up to them—including really damn fine food if you choose to go fully-catered. That’s right—no cooking on a camp stove. Instead, hike a bit longer, take more pictures, relax and unwind. You won’t find a package of dehydrated food within 100 miles of any lodge.

“You get the benefit of amazing accommodation, food, and you can leave the logistics to others,” says Dixon, who’s been visiting backcountry lodges for more than 15 years. “I work more than I would like and have family commitments, so finding the time to plan, coordinate and execute trips isn’t always easy.”

What makes a lodge a ‘backcountry’ lodge? Well, simply put, it’s a lodge that you can’t access by a regular road, which takes ‘unplugged’ to a whole new level.

4
A hiker walks past by Assiniboine Lodge cabins, Mt Assiniboine Provincial Park, BC.

“Being able to unplug, and just be fully present with loved ones is invaluable in this fast-paced time,” says Kelowna resident Fiona MacLeod. “Bonds are strengthened by many shared laughs and stories, but also through those comfortable silences on long uptracks, where we find strength and contentment by sharing a small space in the expansive landscape surrounding us.”

Expansive, untrammeled landscapes are one absolute guarantee that comes with any stay at a backcountry lodge, and that includes a complete escape from any crowds. Some lodges are so remote, the only sounds you’ll hear are chirping birds and water pouring over rocks. You’re also guaranteed to meet like-minded souls who crave adventure and care about the environment.

BLBCA lodges are found in BC’s four major mountain ranges: the Rockies, Columbia Mountains, Cariboo Chilcotins, and Coast Range. Spend your summer days hiking, climbing, paddling, practicing yoga, mountain biking, taking photos and painting in stunningly beautiful landscapes, or taking a climbing or orienteering course. With both fully-guided and self-guided options available, simply choose your adventure and go with the flow. You can be as brave or laid-back as you want, without the drawbacks of tent camping or backpacking, and with all the creature comforts including cozy log cabins, warm beds, showers, hearty meals and experienced guides and crew.

5

“It would be great to be able to bottle the deep-seated feelings of happiness and contentment and share them with others that have never been exposed to or had the opportunity to connect with nature,” says Dixon. “Maybe as a society that would help us focus on the importance of protecting the natural world more, and less on the illusions of instant gratification.”

Instant gratification aside, the real focus is connection. To nature, to the elements, and most importantly, to your soul—you’re guaranteed to leave it in a better place than before you came.

6
Canoeists at Nuk Tessli Wilderness Experience with view of the Coast Mountains (Monarch Range), Whitton Lake, BC.

What is the BLBCA?

A member-directed association of privately-owned lodges located in the major mountain ranges of British Columbia, Canada. Due to remoteness, lodge access is mechanized in the winter (mostly by helicopter). In the summer, some lodges are accessible by hiking. Once at the lodge, all activities are non-mechanized, falling in line with a commitment to leave as small a footprint as possible.

The BLBCA supports member lodges in the areas of safety, marketing, and operations as it strives to position the backcountry of British Columbia as one of the most rewarding adventure travel destinations in the world.
www.backcountrylodgesofbc.com

Total
47
Shares
Share 46
Tweet 0
Pin it 1
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0
Related Topics
  • backcountry lodge
Mountain Life Media

Previous Article
VEMSummerBundle
  • In This Issue
  • Paddling

Vie en montagne Summer-Fall Issue Out Now / édition été-automne, disponible dès maintenant

  • June 23, 2021
  • Mountain Life Media
View Post
Next Article
maxresdefault 2 768x432 1
  • Paddling

Friday Flick: Africa by Kayak

  • June 25, 2021
  • Mountain Life Media
View Post
You May Also Like
Life-Time-Grand-Prix-gravel-bike
View Post
  • Mountain Biking
  • On The Trail

New Docuseries Profiles the World’s Elite Off-Road Cyclists

  • Editor
  • January 30, 2023
knorthphotography.Beverly-Glenn Copeland-crop
View Post
  • Mountain Lifer

Beverly Glenn-Copeland: Finding the Universal Broadcast

  • Mountain Life Media
  • January 17, 2023
Talon-Pascal-lilWat-feature-crop
View Post
  • Mountain Lifer

Talon Pascal, Culture Keeper

  • Mountain Life Media
  • January 9, 2023
Mountain-Life-Blue-Mountains-stack-winter-2023
View Post
  • On The Trail
  • Ontario
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Trips & Expeditions

ML Blue Mountains Winter-Spring ’23 Issue Out Now

  • Ned Morgan
  • January 6, 2023
M-Fredriksson-Christina-Lusti-2
View Post
  • Mountain Lifer
  • Skiing
  • Women

Christina “Lusti” Lustenberger: Killing It Softly

  • Mountain Life Media
  • January 3, 2023
View Post
  • Mountain Lifer
  • Skiing
  • Videos

Friday Flick: Santa Rips

  • Sarah Bulford
  • December 23, 2022
View Post
  • Mountain Lifer
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding

Arc’teryx Backcountry Academy is coming to Whistler B.C.

  • Sarah Bulford
  • December 20, 2022
Golden-BC-mountain-biking
View Post
  • Mountain Biking
  • On The Trail

Shifting Gears

  • Mountain Life Media
  • December 18, 2022

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Featured Posts
  • Norco-Bigfoot2-fat-bike-winter-ride-MTB 1
    Gear Shed: Midwinter Picks
    • February 7, 2023
  • Skeena-Cat-Skiing-Northern-BC 2
    We Were Here
    • February 6, 2023
  • Mountain-Life-Coast-Mountains-Winter-2023 3
    ML Coast Mountains Winter-Spring ’23 Issue Out Now
    • February 3, 2023
  • Saint-Lawrence-ice-canoe-Jean-Anderson 4
    Jean Anderson: 40 Years of Ice Canoeing
    • January 31, 2023
  • CHOK-Images-RAB-Avril-2022 5
    Chic-Chocs: True Eastern Alpine
    • February 2, 2023
RECENT POSTS
  • Life-Time-Grand-Prix-gravel-bike
    New Docuseries Profiles the World’s Elite Off-Road Cyclists
    • January 30, 2023
  • L'Hymne-des-Trembles-Laurentians-Quebec
    L’Hymne des Trembles: Uncompromising Laurentian Skiing
    • January 27, 2023
  • Fjallraven-Nuuk-Parka-daniel-blom-photo_jacket
    Gear Shed: Multisport Winter Roundup
    • January 26, 2023
Social Links
Instagram 22K Followers
Facebook 25K Likes
Twitter 5K Followers
Pinterest 1K Followers
Vimeo 34 Followers
LinkedIn 0
INSTAGRAM
mountainlifemedia
22K Followers
There is a trend—mostly with tourism organizations and marketing departments, but travel journalists have been on board for a while now too… and the trend is to use the phrase “untouched wilderness” when writing about remote areas like the Skeena Mountains of northern B.C.
Help us wish ML Publisher @glenedwardharris a very happy, pow filled birthday! #mountainlifer
Live It Up EP 22 is OUT NOW!
NEW ML Coast Mountains Winter-Spring ’23 Issue is OUT NOW! 🙌
There are some first times that we will always remember. Like the time I skied off-piste through the alpine highlands of le parc national de la Gaspésie.
@shimizuimg getting those January goods ❄️ #mountainlifer
With four decades of ice canoeing under his belt, Jean Anderson has dominated a sport that's unique to Quebec and that he helped shape.
Featuring three gravel and three MTB events, the series explores the intense competition and love of the sport among 60 of the world’s premier cyclists.
Winter commute with #mountainlifer @michelle_pittam ❄️🚵‍♀️🌲
@lhymnedestrembles.ca is no mirage. Set in the lush Laurentian forest, yet easily accessible (less than an hour and a half from Montreal), this luxurious ski-in ski-out residential resort by @groupebrivia is nestled at the foot of the Versant Soleil side of Mont Tremblant. The Tremblant region is a perennial destination for outdoor enthusiasts from around the world, and within the province, attracting 3.5 million visitors annually.
Follow

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

There is a trend—mostly with tourism organizations and marketing departments, but travel journalists have been on board for a while now too… and the trend is to use the phrase “untouched wilderness” when writing about remote areas like the Skeena Mountains of northern B.C.
Help us wish ML Publisher @glenedwardharris a very happy, pow filled birthday! #mountainlifer
Live It Up EP 22 is OUT NOW!
NEW ML Coast Mountains Winter-Spring ’23 Issue is OUT NOW! 🙌
There are some first times that we will always remember. Like the time I skied off-piste through the alpine highlands of le parc national de la Gaspésie.
@shimizuimg getting those January goods ❄️ #mountainlifer
Mountain Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising

Input your search keywords and press Enter.